Jewelry & Clothing
by Sam A., David M. and Marc B.
In this gallery you will learn about some of the beautiful things worn by the grandparents and great grandparents of the seventh grade students. You will be able to look back in time to see what people wore and what they used as accessories.
What you see here is historical jewelry. They are made of gold and silver. These beautiful artifacts represent our history. This jewelry is historical because it is old and has lots of history. Some of these jewels are delicate and should not be touched. The clothing is important because these items were worn by our ancestors. We hope you all enjoy the artifacts.
Necklace
Israel
Victor S.
My grandfather, Solomon S. used to sell necklaces and other jewelry and he gave a necklace to my father when my father was young. My father gave me that necklace.
It was a Magen David necklace. The Jewish star is a symbol that everyone recognizes as Jewish.
Ring
New York
My mother Freda
This ring belonged to my great great grandma Reana Gindi. She gave it to my great grandma Freda Nasar, who passed it down to my mother. It's been worn for special occasions including my great grandma Freda Nasar wearing it to my grandparents Vicky and Stevie Nasar's wedding. It has been worn in the 1920's until now!!
The Jewish significance of this artifact is that it was worn for many of our religious family occasions such as weddings, brit milah, and bar mitzvahs.
Watch
New York
Grandma Jayne Levy
My great grandfather, Herman, gave this watch as a gift to my great grandmother, Ruth, for giving birth to my grandmother Jayne. Than she passed it down to my grandmother as a Bat Mitzvah birthday present.
It was a gift for my grandmother as a Bat Mitzvah gift. A Bat Mitzvah is when a girl turns 12 and has to take on a responsibility for her actions. Sometimes the girl has a party, but my Grandmother did not.
Gold Ring
Romania
My father, Natan T.
My artifact is a family ring which now belongs to my father, Natan T. This ring was passed down four generations so far. It was originally in the custody of my great great grandfather, who lived in Romania.It has his Hebrew initial "alef" for his legal name "Angal".
The significance of this artifact to my Jewish heritage is that it has been a family heirloom, passed down in my family for four generations, on my father's side. Even though we do not have much information to share we think it is significant that he used his Hebrew initial on his ring.
Ring
America
Rabbi N. B.
This artifact is a pure gold ring from my great grandfather. Then it was given to my dad by my grandma. It's one of the only things my dad has from his grandfather so it is very important to him.
My artifact is a ring that belonged to my great grandpa on my father's side. It was a ring from when my great grandpa got married. I'm not sure if the ring shows any significance to Jewish heritage but it is important to my family, especially to my dad.
Heart Locket
New York
Alison Gamza L.
This golden heart locket is given to every Gamza girl on her bat mitzvah. It now belongs to my sister but it was originally given to my great great grandmother. She then gave it to my great grandmother on her bat mitzvah, then she gave it to my grandma, and so on.
When times were rough, and they couldn't afford big gifts for their bat mitzvah, every girl got this gold locket.
Twirler Jacket
New York
Susan Braha
My grandma, Susan wanted to be part of a team. So she joined the twirler team. She got the jacket, boots, and a hat that all matched. She was very good at twirling a baton. She performed during the sports events at her high school. And since she was in high school 50 years ago, it is an artifact.
It is part of my heritage because It was used by my grandma during her high school years.
Handkerchief
Philippines
Barbara Sutton
My great grandma Renea's uncle Solomon was away in war. He used to send gifts home to his family and always sent my great grandmother a handkerchief with her name embroidered on it. She has a small collection of them.
This handkerchief was very important to my great grandmother. It is our custom for a married woman to clip a handkerchief to her head while saying the Shabbat candle lighting prayer. My great grandmother also wore her embroidered handkerchief on her head as a sign of modesty while attending synagogue.
Worry Beads
Iraq
Arielle M.
These worry beads can be worn as a bracelet or it can just be a straight line of worry beads.This bracelet was given to my mom's grandfather,Morris Shashou. This bracelet was precious to my great grandfather because the bracelet is made of worry beads and whenever he would get worried he would start playing with them. Playing with them it would relieve his stress.
This bracelet Is important to Jewish Heritage because it was passed down by my great grandfather. It’s something that was used in Jewish culture when my great grandfather was alive.
Bracelet
Israel
Julie Esses
These bracelets were a special gift from my grandmother to her four daughters from her first trip to Israel in 1993. My grandmother made sure to come back with something special to give her children that they could pass on to their children. My mother was careful never to lose it so that she could pass it on to us.
The significance of Jewish Heritage is the bracelet was made and bought in Israel. Therefore the money used to buy it will help the Israeli economy.
Ring
Ukraine
My Mom
This ring belonged to my mom’s grandma. It was originally purchased in the Ukraine, where my great grandparents are from. She got it as a gift from her kids and then it was passed down to my mom, and next it will be past on to someone else.
It has been passed down generations and will continue being passed down in future generations.
Pocket Watch
Japan
Stefan B.
This artifact was given to my Grandpa James B. in Japan because he was very important and in a high position in Japan. This pocket watch was passed down from my grandfather to my dad.
My grandfather used this pocket watch to see when he was able to pray Mincha. Mincha is the afternoon prayer Jewish people pray.
Earrings
Israel
Mazal Y.
These earrings were a gift to my mom, Mazal Y., on her birthday July 20,1990. It was a gift from her mom.
She doesn't wear them often because she doesn't want to get used to how they looks. She wants them always to be special.
The Living Museum is a project of the Education Department of the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
The Living Museum is made possible through the generous support of The Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views
expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the grantee.